Katy area's best athletes taking over Austin stage

GLENN SATTELL

Published
5:30 am CDT, Wednesday, May 9, 2001

If you can't get a room in Austin this week, blame it on Katy Independent School District athletics. The area is more than well-represented this week in Austin for state competition in golf, tennis and track.

Mayde Creek is sending a couple of girls tracksters, including one who will be competing in two events Saturday. Sophomore Brenda Faluade will compete in both the long and triple jump events, and sophomore teammate Nicole Brown will also compete in the high jump.

Lady Rams head coach Yolanda Beasley said she believes sheer heart and determination willed Faluade to two state-qualifying efforts.

"She wanted to get to regionals again to prove herself again," Beasley said. "Her goal was to eventually go to state."

Faluade was a finalist in both the triple and long jump at last year's regionals after setting the district triple jump record at 39 feet, 7 inches, and taking second in the long jump. This year she flip-flopped, winning the long jump and taking second in the triple jump.

Beasley said that while Faluade improved on last year's regional performance, she said the youngster still isn't content with her performance.

"She qualified for state but was not satisfied with the distances because she knows she can do better," Beasley said.

Faluade reached 38-09 at regionals in the triple jump and 18-11 in the long jump. However, with youth on her side, Beasley said Faluade's potential is limitless.

"She has a strong work ethic," Beasley said. "She's a hard worker and willing to learn and improve and go the extra mile to get better. She doesn't get rattled too easily."

Still Faluade does have some experience in big competitions.

"She went to Texas Relays, so she's been in that arena," Beasley said. "That wide-eyed, `deer in the headlights' look is hopefully gone."

Brown, who cleared 5-10 at regionals, has competed for years in summer track and has some experience in the spotlight. "She's used to the big meets," Beasley said.

Qualifying two jumpers to state isn't all that unusual, according to Beasley.

"For a program that's rebuilding, in a sense, like mine is, it's a little unusual," she said, "but it's not out of the ordinary."

Beasley said she feels it is extraordinary is to have one athlete in more than one event at the state level.

"For one person going in two events, that's a little different," she said. "You don't usually get that."

The Mayde Creek boys team is also represented by a jumper. Brandon Hogan qualified in the long jump, placing second with a distance of 22-8 at regionals.

On the track later this week, junior John Arnold will test his skills against the state's best in the 800 meters. The region champion goes in with a winning time of 1:55.72 after coming off knee surgery just before Christmas.

"He's back to where he was," Taylor track coach Dennis Lemmons said. "He's probably even a little ahead of last year."

Sophomore golfer Casey Clendenon, who won the Mississippi state championship last year, will represent Cinco Ranch in Austin this week. After capturing the Region III title (69-70 -- 139) Clendenon will go after the Texas crown Thursday and Friday at Austin's Roy Kizer Course.